General anesthesia is one of the biggest sources of uncertainty for women considering a mommy makeover, a procedure that combines breast enhancement and liposuction with a tummy tuck. As a board-certified plastic surgeon here in Baltimore, I often answer questions about the process during consultations. While the anesthesiologists we work with are highly skilled and experienced, it’s normal to have concerns about what it will be like to “go under” on the big day.
In this blog post, I’ll explain what you can expect from the general anesthesia experience. I’ll also review the measures our team takes to ensure your safety from start to finish.
How General Anesthesia Works
General anesthesia causes a few different effects on the body and mind that help keep you safe and comfortable during surgery,
- Unconsciousness: You’ll be in a very deep sleep and unaware of what’s happening.
- Immobility: You won’t be able to move, which allows us to operate with precision.
- Analgesia: You won’t feel any pain caused by the procedure taking place.
- Amnesia: Once you awaken, you won’t remember anything about the experience.
Throughout your surgery, a board-certified anesthesiologist closely monitors your condition to make sure you’re receiving just the right amount of anesthetic to keep you both sedated and safe.
What to Expect
At your pre-op appointment, you’ll be given detailed instructions about how to prepare in the days leading up to your procedure. This will include guidelines for eating (you’ll need to fast a few hours before), taking medications (you may be advised to stop some), and any other considerations that may affect the anesthesia.
On the day of your surgery, your anesthesiologist will administer your medication through an IV. He or she will closely monitor your vitals throughout the surgery and as you awaken in the recovery room. You likely won’t have any memory of the experience; past patients have compared the time between falling asleep and waking up to time travel.
Mommy Makeover Guide
Interested in learning more before scheduling your free consultation? Get a sneak peek of what to expect by accessing our Procedure Guides. Fill out the form below to get access and learn the ins and outs of your personal transformation.
The Recovery Process
For the first couple of hours after your surgery, you may feel tired, nauseous, and generally “out of it.” You should gradually feel better as the effects of the anesthesia wear off. At this point, we’ll send you home in the care of a loved one. It’s important to ask someone you trust to give you a ride home and stay with you the first night, since you will likely still feel groggy for a day or two.
Our Anesthesiology Team
Your anesthesiologist plays a key role in your safety and comfort during the surgical process, taking full responsibility for monitoring your sedation. For this reason, it’s essential to choose a practice that works only with experienced, board-certified anesthesiologists.
When we perform surgeries at the Clarkview Surgery Center, we make it a point to select board-certified professionals who are in active practice at a hospital and demonstrate high levels of competency in the field. This helps us keep our patients’ risk of any complications very low.
Your safety is our team’s top priority as we work to create exceptional aesthetic results. If you’re considering a mommy makeover and are looking for a plastic surgeon in Baltimore, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us online or call (410) 296-0414 to request a consultation.